Originally posted on https://www.traveloffpath.com/10-reasons-to-visit-salt-lake-city-this-winter/

October 22, 2021 —

By Nicole Bergstrom

Salt Lake City is the ultimate winter wonderland. Besides the many ski resorts, the city has many great things to do indoors and outdoors during the winter season. Salt Lake City is a wonderful destination for a winter retreat, even after the holiday season ends. Read on to discover the reasons to visit Salt Lake City this winter.

Reasons To Visit Salt Lake City this Winter

Phenomenal Skiing is Just Minutes Away

Utah is the mecca of snow in the United States, where the Great Salt Lake Effect delivers piles of the fluffy snow. There are 11 ski resorts less than a one hour drive from greater Salt Lake City. The most popular resorts in Salt Lake City include Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, Park City, and Deer Valley. Another great thing about skiing in Salt Lake City-if you don’t feel like driving the hills and canyons to any of the resorts, many of them are accessible through the public transportation system.

The Ultimate Winter Outdoor Playground

In addition to the slopes, there is so much winter fun available in and around Salt Lake City. In the winter months, locals and tourists love to ice skate, go fat tire snow biking, and the adventurous even go bobsledding at Olympic Park. Guests can also snowshoe at Homestead Resort or explore the stunning Midway Ice Castles for a unique winter experience.

Salt Lake City is Very Child Friendly

Salt Lake City is a great place for the entire family, especially for the children. The city has over 100 kid-friendly venues including Thanksgiving Point, The Children’s Museum of Utah, and the Hogle Zoo, which features ZooLights!, plus many more. 

Keep Warm on a Winter’s Day

Come in from the cold and heat up at the thermal hot springs located at Homestead Crater in Midway. The 90 degree water here is the only warm scuba diving destination in the continental United States. Besides a soak in the water, you can also explore the geology of the crater and even take a paddle board yoga class.

Experience a German Christmas Market

Christkindlmarkt is a German market that happens every December at This is the Place Heritage Park. The market is a great place for shopping for those holiday gifts, plus vendors serve up tasty food, while festive holiday entertainment takes place the entire time. The wonderful holiday activities at Christkindlmarkt include a petting zoo, scavenger hunt, a gnome fest, a live nativity, and a visit to St. Nikolaus Haus.

Hob Nob With Celebrities at the Sundance Film Festival

In 1981, legendary actor Robert Redford founded the Sundance Institute to facilitate greater artistic quality in film. Since then, the annual Sundance Film Festival brings Hollywood glamor to Salt Lake City. The festival hosts many events in Salt Lake City and also in nearby Ogden, Park City and Sundance Village. Each year, the festival is a star studded event where everyone can view the work of independent film makers from around the world. The next Sundance Film Festival will be occurring January 20-30, 2022. 

Salt Lake City has Many Notable Museums and Historical Sites

For travelers that like to learn about history, Salt Lake City is home to numerous museums and historical landmarks. Clark Planetarium features exhibits about our galaxy, and the Natural History Museum of Utah features the must-see Great Salt Lake Exhibit and the Our Backyard exhibit for the kids. In Temple Square, the Family History Library is home to the largest collection of genealogical records in the world.

Notable landmarks in Salt Lake City include the Beehive HouseTemple Square and Cathedral of the Madeleine. The Governor’s Mansion and the Utah State Capitol feature the history of the government of the State of Utah. This is the Place Heritage Park is the location where Mormon pioneer Brigham Young founded Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake Wakes Up When the Sun Goes Down

Although it may be cold outside, the nightlife in Salt Lake City is hot and happening. The city has everything from sports bars to nightclubs and many wonderful eateries. In downtown, Purgatory offers fine dining and cocktails, while Spencer’s is a local favorite for great steak.

Salt Lake City has Great Public Transportation

For those that do not wish to have a rental car during their visit, The Utah Transit Authority has a fantastic public transportation that can get you throughout the region including the ski resorts. 

Utah is Home To Five National Parks

The State of Utah has five National Parks that offer a variety of outdoor fun and scenery year round. You can combine your visit to Salt Lake City with a visit to one of these spectacular national parks. Tourists can make a trip to any of the Big 5 National Parks in Utah including Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and Canyonlands National Park

 


Visit Salt Lake is a private, non-profit corporation responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake as a convention and travel destination. In partnership with Salt Lake County, Visit Salt Lake improves the area economy by attracting and providing support to conventions, sports events, leisure travelers and visitors with a strong commitment to sustainability and stewardship of the area’s natural environment. Through its sales and marketing programs, Visit Salt Lake’s impact on Salt Lake’s annual $5.4 billion visitor economy equates to nearly $1,800 in tax relief for each household within Salt Lake County. For more information on all that Salt Lake has to offer, go to www.VisitSaltLake.com.